Dauphin Island Times

Officials at this year's 74th Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo are making several changes which they hope will improve the event for competitors and spectators alike.

• In all but five of the 30 fish categories length limits are being shortened to allow more fish to be brought in for the competition.
• The price of the king jackpot ticket has been reduced from $250 to $150
• The king mackerel jackpot will be split between two divisions, open and 23-and-under. The top five boats in the open division and the top 10 boats in the 23 and under division will get prizes.
• The fence on the north end of the fish tank/viewing area was moved to make it more spectator friendly. Now the fish viewing area will accommodate more people.

More information about the 74th Annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

Updated event rules and regulations

Rodeo reducing length limits

Heeding the suggestions of anglers, the 74th edition of the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo will roll back length limits on all but five of the 30 fish categories for the event, scheduled July 21-23 at the rodeo site on Dauphin Island.

The loudest complaints last year came from tarpon fishermen when the minimum length was raised to 80 inches. After no tarpon were weighed in during the event, rodeo officials decided to drop the length limit back to 68 inches.

"We worked with Dr. Bob Shipp (rodeo judge) to come up with a tarpon length the anglers could live with, but we are still committed to conservation," said Ricky Brooks, rodeo vice president in charge of publicity. "Although we lowered most of the size limits, they are still above the state minimums."

The rodeo also has changed the king mackerel jackpot, splitting it into two divisions -- open and 23-and-under. Read more